Containers for liquids



1965 D. H. J. REYNoLDs 3,203,579

United StateS Patent This invention felateS to containefS fof liquids, and in pafficUlaf confainefs of a kind fofn1ing a fesefvoif fof SUpplying the liquid fof SoIT1e function, vhefe it iS iInpoftant that the fesefvoif should be fepleniShed befofe the liqUid iI1 it iS exhaUSted of befofe the liquid level faHS be1ovv a pfedetefn1ined point. An outstanding eXaInple of such a caSe iS that of the feSefvoif fof an hydfaUlic cifcuif, S11ch as the hydfaulio bfakeopefating cifcflit of a n1otof vehic1e.

To keep to a Ininimom the fisk of the leve1 of Uid in such a feSefvoif calling fo a dangefouS eXtent, it iS knovvf1 to pfovide f1oato efated alaffn devices. It haS alSo been pfopoSed to Inake the entife confainef tfanSpafent to en able the Hquid level to be obsefved eaSily Without hav ing to open the feSefvoif. It iS afI ai1 of the pfeSent in vention to eflable an eXisting opaqne feSefvoif fo be con vefted into one of Which the li1]1id leve1 can be checked vvitf1oLIt opening it, thiS convefSion being eected with out fequifing any fnodiiication of the StfL1ctofe of the exiSfing feSefvoif ifSelf.

Accofding to the inveflfiofl, thefe iS pfovided an ex tension piece in the fof111 of an auxiliafy containef having at leaSt a paft of its side vVallS tfanspafent of tfanS lucent, and having an opening if1 itS lovvef end pfovided with ITleans fof fofIning a oidtight connection betvveen thiS opening af1(1 the filIef ofice of an exiStiflg containef of feSefvoif, snch aS the feSefvoif of a11 hydfal11ic finid bfaking SySten1 fof a fflotof vehic1e, and the extension pieoe being pfovided tovvafdS ifS Uppef end vvit11 an opening fof the fepleniShInent of id, thiS opening be ing pfovided with meanS fof Secufing a closlJfe cap ovef it.

T1iS extension piece can be designed to flt if1 place of the fillef cap of an exiSting hydfaUlic f1nid fesefvoif, and the fesefvoif can then be filled vvith additional Uid So that the fll1id leve1 is vvithin the extension piece and is viSible ffof1 ol1tSide. In ofdef to avoid having to pfo vide a neW fillef cap, it is pfefeffed to affange that the 1illef opening in the Uppef efld of the extension piece is deSigned to feceive the eXiSting 1illef cap of the n1ain feSefvoif.

Tvvo en1bodinlentS of ouf invention aS applied to a feSefvoif fof an hydfaUlic bfaking SyStefn afe illLIStfated by vay of exaInple in the acconlpanying dfavvings in Which= FIGURE 1 is a Side elevation of a coInbined n1aster cylindef and feSefvoif fof an hydfalllic bfaking SySten1 With the uppef paft of the feSefvoif and the extension piece ShoWn in Section;

FIGURE 2 iS a Side elevation of the extef1Sion piece and clafnping fing;

FIGURE 3 iS a view sinlilaT to FIGURE 1, but showing an altefnative constfflction fof the eXtensiofl piece;

FIGURE 4 iS a plan of the eXtension piece shown in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is an end elevation of a combined nlaster cylindef and feSefvoif fitted vvith a Inodified fofff1 of ex tension piece;

FIGURE 6 is an e1evation of the eXtenSion piece alone; and

FIGIJRE 7 is a ffagfnentafy section on a lafgef Scale of the lowef end of the Wall of the eXtenSion piece.

1n the affangementS Shown in the dfavvingS, 10 is a fnaStef cyHndef fof an hydfaoHc bfaking SySfem con1- bined With an integfal feSefvoif 11 ffon1 Which the SyS 3,Z03,579 Pafefed Aug. 31, 1965 tefn dfavvS liquid aS and vvhen feqUifed. The feSefvoif cofnpfiSes a cyHndfical chaIT1bef of vvhich the axis is vef tical and which iS open at itS uppef end. The feSefvoif iS norfnaHy closed by a vented Sheet Inetal cap vvhich iS Scfevved on to an extefnal Scfevv thfead on the uppef end of the feSefvoif and is femovable fof Hing the fesefvoif vvith liquid.

In the affan ement shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, the capacity of the fesefvoif is incfeased by fitting to its uppef end in flI1id-tight engagement thefewith a honow eXten sion piece 12 vvhich is fnoulded ffom ffanSpafent of ffanS ll1ceflt plaStic, and is of genefany cylindfical shape With itS top and bottom endS open The bottom end has a fadiaHy pfoiecting annulaf ange 13 adapted to fit againSt the Uppef end of the fesefvoif and a Shoft spigot 14 adapfed to entef the opening of the feSefvoif and locate the exfension piece latefally. An intefnany ScfeW thfeaded fnetal fing 15 fitS ovef the ange 13 and on gageS the extefnaI Scfewthfoad on the feSefvoif to damp the extension piece in place, a Sealing vvaShef 10 being intefpoSed betvveen the ange 13 and the Uppef end of the feSefvoif. AS Shown in F1G. 1 the diametef of the WaShef 16 is substantially the san1e as the intefnal di an1etef of the clamping IneInbef Whefeby the vvaShef is feSffained against fadial expansion ondef clafnpif1g pfeS sufe.

The oppef paft of the extensioff piece is of slightly snlallef dianletef than the lovvef paft and is fofIned vvith an extefnal scfew-thfead to feceive a vented doSufe cap 17.

AS the extension pieCe is secufely clamped againSt the Uppef end of the feSefvoif by the fing 15, thefe iS no fiSk of the eXtenSion pieoe being looSened vvhen the cap 17 iS being UnscfeWed for the intfoduction of liquid.

In the affangement ohown in FIGURES 3 and 4, the exfension piece 21 is n1oulded ffofI1 a tfanSpafent of ffanS111cent plaStic vvhich haS a ceftain degfee of figidity and is subStantiany ffee ffon1 cfeep, and it haS at itS bot .tom end a pefiphefal depending Skift poftion 22 which haS an intefnal scfevv-thfead and is of s11ch a diafnetef aS to sCfev on to an exiSting extefnal Scfew-thfead on the fesefvoif Which nofmaHy feceives a c1oSufe cap, A sealing WaShef 23 iS intefposed between the uppef end of the feSefvoif and an intefnal nange 24 in the extenSion piece. At its uppef end, the extension piece iS fofmed With a thickened Wa11 poftion 25 vvhich has an extefflal Scfev thfead and is of the Safne extefnal dianletef aS the uppef end of the feSefvoif s() that it can feceive the standafd vented c1oSI1fe cap 20 pfovided fof the feSefvoif, and vvhen the eXtenSion piece is fitfed the cap iS Sifnply tfanS- feffed ffom the feSefvoif to the extenSion piece.

vvhefe the uppef end of the feSefvoif iS pfovided vvith an infefnal Scfevr-thfead to feoeive a TeInovable c1o Sufe, the lovvef end of the exfenSion piece Inay, of co11fSe, be fofIned vvith an extefna1 Scfevv-thfead to 1it the thfead in the feSefvoif and a fadiany pfojecting ShoUldef to engage the uppef end of the fesefvoif.

In the modi0cation Shown in FIGURES 6 and 7, the extenSion piece 27 is of substantiany gfeatef aXial length and greatef capacity than the extensions Shovvn in FIGURES 1 to 4.

At itS 1owef end the extenSioff piece haS a depending oylindfical spigot 28 adapted to entef the opening at the uppef end of the feSefvoif, and a notch 29 iS fofIned in the spigot fof engageInent vfith an intefnal 1Ug of boss in the opening to pfevent the eXtensiofl ffon1 fotating vvith the cloSufe cap 31 When the cap is being unScfeWed. A1- tefnatively, the spigot Inay be fofIned With a pfoiection adapted fo engage in a fecess in the feSefvoif fof the Safne pofpoSe.

The eXtension piece iS Secufed fo the feSefvoif by an in tefnaHy Scfevvthfeaded flanged fing 32 engaging an ex fefnal Scfevv-thfead on the feSefvoif and ifffing ()vef a fadially pfojecting annulaf Hange 33 on the eXtension piece. The Hange 33 haS on its ontef edge, aS Shovn in FIGURE 7 a depending annulaf lip 34 pfoviding betveen itSelf and the s )igot 28 a dovvnvvafdly facing annulaf gfoove to feceive and fetain a feSilient of conpfeSSible sealing fing 35 fof engagement With the Uppef end of the feSefvolr.

In itS ffee State, the thicknesS of the sealing fing iS Slightly gfeatef than the axiaI depth of the gfoove, and vhen fhe clanlping fing 3Z iS tightened down the con1- pfeSSof of the sealing fing iS lifnited by the engagement of The lip 34 on the ange vvith the end of the feSefvoif so that the sealing fing cannot be daIT1 ed by oveftightening the clafn ing fing.

The outef Sufface of the eXtenSion piece n1ay be pfo vided With any convenient fnafking s11ch aS the veftical line 36 and wofding indicating the maXimum and Inini mum peffniSSible levelS of the liqLlid.

It wnl be appfeciated that in any of the affangen1eT1ts illL1Stfated, if a leak ShoI1ld occuf at the ioint betWeen the extenSion piece and the feSefvoif, thfoUgh faU1ty aS Senlbly of a faUlty SeaHng waShef, it iS only the Iiquid in the extenSion piece vvhich Can be 1OSt and the li(111id in the feSefvoif is not aifected.

When a con1bined nlastef cyHndef and fesefvoif aSSefnbly fof an hydfaulic bfke sySteIn iS Inounted in a vehicle, the available Space above the feSefvoif Inay be liInited, but by Inaking the eXtenSion piece vvith felatively thin waHS, and, if neceSsafy, making it of gfeafef diafn etef than the feSefvoif, one can pfovide an adequate vo1- UIne to aHow fof all nofnlal loSSes of liquid betWeen Sefvic ing pefiods vvhile it iS pfefeffed fo Inould the extenSion piece Whony ffofn tfanSpafent of ffanSlucent plastic, it vvonld be possible to fofIn it ffom opaque matefial With a Window of tfanSpafent of tfanS1I1cent n1atefia1 in its vvall fof inSpection of the levefof liquid in the extenSion piece.

I claiIn:

1. Means incfeasing the effective capacity and fof indi cating the level of flI1id in a fesefvofffof a n1astef cy1indef of an hydfaulic bfaking SySfen1 of vhich Said fesef voif is open at ifS Uppef end vvithout Said end being Suf founded by a at anflulaf edge and pfovided at that end Vith an extefnal scfeW-thfeaded poftion, coInpfising a honow tubUlaf eXtenSion Inefnbef of vhich as leaSt paft of itS vvan is of tfanSpafent of tfanslucent InatefiaL an `axially extending spigot poftion at the lowef end of Said eXtenSion Inefnbef feceived vvithin the opening at the np pef end of the feSefvoif, an outWafdly extending fadial nange integfal With said extension membef and seated againSt the uppef end of Said fesefvoif, an annulaf Seal ing vvaShef intefposed betWeen Said fadial Hange and said annulaf edge of said containef, an intefnany scfevvthfeaded fing clamping said eXtenSion fnembef at ifS lovvef end to Said fesefvoif and fitting ovef Said fadfal Hange and engaging vith said extefnal Scfevthfeaded poftion on the uppef end of Said feSefvoif, Said Sealing vvaShef having an extefnal dian1efef Substantially eqnal to the intefna1 diametef of Said claInping membef Whefeby Said clamping nlembef engageS Said washef to festfict itS fadial expansion undef clafn ing pfeSSufe, and a de tachable cloSufe cap at the uppef end of Said extenSion membef,

2. MeanS incfeaSing the effective capacity and fof in dicating the level of uid in a feSefvoif fof a InaStef Cylindef of an hydfauHo bfaking syStefn of which Said feSef voif is open at itS uppef end and )fovided at that end with an eXtefnal Sofevthfeaded poftion, coInpfising a honow tobulaf eXtension Inembef of vvhioh at leaSt aTt of its wan is of tfanSpafent of tfanSlucent lIlatefial, an aXially extending spigot poftion at the lowef end of said exten Sion membef feceived within the opening at the Uppef end of the feSefvoif and poSitioning Said eXtenSion IneIT1bef ogainSt IIlovenlent in a latefal difection, an ontwafdly eX- tending fadia1 fiange inte gfal with said extension n1embef, a de ending annulaf lip on the outef edge of Said Tadial ange dening between itSelf and Said Spigot poftion a downwardl facin annulaf fecesS a sealin waSher Te- Ceived in said annulaf feceSS and engaging the uppef end of said fesefvoif and vvhich in itS ffee State is of thicknesS gfeatef than the axial depfh of Said TeceSS, said lip affofding an abutment engageable With Said feSefvoif to limit fhe conlpfeSSion of Said sealing vvaShef, detachable IneanS fof clan1ping Said extension InelTfbef to said feSefvoif and adapted to coopefate with Said fadial ange and engage vith said exteTnal scfeWthfeaded poftion on the u pef end of said feSefvoif, and a detachable cloSufe cap fof fhe uppef end of said eXtenSion membef.

3. MeanS as in claim 2 including IneanS fof pfeventing felative angulaf Inoven1ent betvveen Said eXtenSion fnefn bef and Said feSefvoif CoIn fiSing a notch paft and a Inating lip paTt, one of Said pafts being integfal with Said spigot and the ofllef of said paftS being diSpoSed within the opening at the uppef end of Said fesefvoif.

4. MeanS as clain1ed in claim Z, Wvhefein Said eXtension fnen1bef haS at its nppef end an eXtefnal Scfewthfeaded poftion, and Said detachable closnfe cap iS pfovided vvith oxtefnal Scfew thfeadS fof coopefation vvith said extefna1 extension n1efffbef.

lefefenceS Cifed by fhe Ex3nlinef UNITED STATES PATENTS 

1. A MEANS INCREASING THE EFFECTIVE CAPACITY AND FOR INDICATING THE LEVEL OF FLUID IN A RESERVOIR FOR A MASTER CYLINDER OF AN HYDRAULIC BRAKING SYSTEM OF WHICH SAID RESERVIOR IS OPEN AT ITS UPPER END WITHOUT SAID END BEING SURROUNDED BY A FLAT ANNULAR EDGE AND PROVIDED AT THAT END WITH AN EXTERNAL SCREW-THREADED PORTION, COMPRISING A HOLLOW TUBULAR EXTENSION MEMBER OF WHICH AS LEAST PART OF ITS WALL IS OF TRANSPARENT OR TRANSLUCENT MATERIAL, AN AXIALLY EXTENSING SPIGOT PORTION AT THE LOWER END OF SAID EXTENSION MEMBER RECEIVED WITHIN THE OPENING AT THE UPPER END OF THE RESERVIOR, AN OUTWARDLY EXTENDING RADIAL FLANGE INTERGRAL WITH SAID EXTENSION MEMBER AND SEATED AGAINST THE UPPER END OF SAID RESERVIOR, AN ANNULAR SEALING WASHER INTERPOSED BETWEEN SAID RADIAL FLANGE AND SAID ANNULAR EDGE OF SAID CONTAINER, AN INTERNALLY SCREWTHREADED RING CLAMPING SAID EXTENSION MEMBER AT ITS LOWER END TO SAID RESERVIOR AND FITTING OVER SAID RADIAL FLANGE AND ANGAGING WITH SAID EXTERNAL SCREW-THREADED PORTION ON THE UPPER END OF SAID RESERVIOR, SAID SEALING WASHER HAVING AN EXTERNAL DIAMETER SUBSTANTIALLY EQUAL TO THE INTERNAL DIAMETER OF SAID CLAMPING MEMBER WHEREBY SAID CLAMPING MEMBER ENGAGE SAID WASHER TO RESTRICT ITS RADIAL EXPANSION UNDER CLAMPING PRESSURE, AND A DETACHABLE CLOSURE CAP AT THE UPPER END OF SAID EXTENSION MEMBER. 